Alex Cameron – Candy May
A while back, after having caught Australian musician Alex Cameron as an opener for Angel Olsen, I was pretty enamored of his performance, and the assuredness of its shtickyness (and yes, it is shticky). If you can appreciate Lana Del Rey for her mellifluous lists of hollowed signifiers and decoupaged images of millennial-imagined withering Americana, you might likewise find it easy to appreciate elements of Cameron’s aesthetic (though perhaps there’s some withering Austral..iana there, too).
ON FRIDAY NIGHT, by the golden glow of hazy street lamps, we followed the strains of jazz to a clearing in the park to discover couples swing dancing. It was unexpected and utterly perfect for a midsummer’s night, and really rather romantic. On Saturday night, again in the park, we happened upon a full jazz concert, white garden chairs set around an outdoor stage in front of the water fountain filled with late-night revelers, some with children in tow, late-arriving tourists on bicycles and circles of friends on blankets on the grass, sharing a bottle of rosé. Summertime here is the very essence of joie de vivre and we’re lucky to be a part of it. This week’s links include Living with Pink and London’s 30 Most Instagrammed Restaurants, a blue & white beach house and much, much more …
De La Soul’s contributions to hip-hop over the past three decades are mighty, but the Long Island trio has often been challenged by its own creativity. In an era where music is becoming increasingly accessible, De La’s catalogue has been noticeably absent from iTunes, Spotify, and other free and subscription-based platforms due to issues with sample clearances. It’s a war Posdnuos, Dave, and Maseo have been waging for years: How do we make music on our own terms without interference from lawyers, labels, and other industry gatekeepers?
DJ Khaled might not actually do anything, but whatever he’s doing, or not, it’s working. He’s still the best famous-person-wrangler around, and he’s managed to round up a truly absurd posse of superstars on his upcoming album Grateful. You’ve already heard the #1 Justin Bieber/Quavo/Chance The Rapper/Lil Wayne team-up “I’m The One” everywhere on the radio, and you’ve probably already heard the Drake collab “To The Max” and the post-Grammys Beyoncé/Jay Z duet “Shining” too. Now, Khaled is sharing “Wild Thoughts,” which features Rihanna and Bryson Tiller and samples Santana’s “Maria Maria” guitar riff.”
THESE LINKS ARE a little late as we still try to process the terribly sad events that unfolded in Manchester earlier this week. Perhaps it would be best to sum up our feelings with Poet Tony Walsh’s ode to the city and its people, which he performed in front of thousands at a vigil of peace in Albert Square yesterday. Listen here (UK) and here (US) and read the full poem below:
IT WAS A DRINKS on terraces kind of weekend, for all the tall, tall lilac trees in our favourite neighbourhoods have become full and lush, leaving filtered sun rays and pretty dappled patterns on asphalt and car roofs and parked scooters awaiting trips to the market or the beach. We sat on wicker chairs and talked as places filled up at the tables nearby and waiters ambled along clearing empty glasses and crumpled napkins. We also stopped by a favourite café on Saturday for late-afternoon paella and talked about the breakneck passing of days into months and of making the most of this wild and wonderful life. This week’s links include 3 Greek Island Homes with Incredible Views; rhinestone shorts and espadrilles, a hotel in Brazil and much, much more …
Bonobo is one of my top-three favorite artists of all time, so it goes without saying that I’m pretty much losing my shit at the prospect of a new album coming out early next year.
As if that news wasn’t good enough, there’s a new single called “Kerala” to come along with it, and it doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it’s pretty darn amazing — at least to my ears. Hopefully you’ll find the same.
WE HAVE BEEN eating walnut, brie and pear grilled cheese sandwiches all week with a side salad of arugula drizzled in a light dressing and more walnuts. It has been sunny everyday, so we spent the weekend on various sun-drenched terraces around the city, sipping on cava while watching the world go by: tourists in shorts, white sneakers and overloaded backpacks; beautiful old ladies in jackets and heels on the arms of their husbands, perhaps on the way to dinner reservations nearby; and fluffy dogs excitedly pulling on leashes past ornate fountains amongst the orange groves. This week’s links include a wine bar in the newly chic place of Kingston, NY; a lovely hotel in London; our brand new and wonderful Antiques & Collectibles selection at The Shop, and much, much more …
I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way
than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.
Turntable Kitchen recently commissioned Yumi Zouma to cover a classic record in its entirety for the site’s Sounds Delicious subscription service. After months of deliberation, the Yumis eventually landed on Oasis’ landmark 1995 LP (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, and without giving away too many spoilers, let’s just say they nailed it.